Label: Klanggalerie
Reissued 3/22/2024, Originally released 1979
Snakefinger surely needs not much of an introduction. Born Philip Charles Lithman in London, he moved to San Francisco in 1971. His roots lie in the British blues scene, but he soon became friends with The Residents who also gave him the name Snakefinger based on a photograph of Lithman performing, in which his finger looks like a snake about to attack his violin. In 1972 Lithman returned to England and formed the pub rock band Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers. After the lack of success of the second album, he returned to the states and work on his first solo album began. "Chewing Hides The Sound" came out in 1979 on Ralph Records. It includes classics such as his Kraftwerk cover "The Model", "What Wilbur?" and "Picnic In The Jungle". The songs on the album were co-written with The Residents. The music showcased Lithman's distinctive slide guitar playing and often surreal imagery. At the same time, a string of singles was released. All tracks that were exclusive to these releases are added as bonus tracks here. Very recently, a so far unknown remix of the whole album was discovered in the Residents' archive. It was made in 1987 in preparation for the Snakey Wake by The Residents and has never been published in any form. Klanggalerie are now proud to present you this lost gem for the first time ever on this double CD.
Track listing:
Original 1979
-
The Model
- Kill The Great Raven
- Jesus Was A Leprechaun
- Here Comes The Bums
- The Vivian Girls
-
Magic And Ecstasy
- Who Is The Culprit And Who Is The Victim?
- What Wilbur?
- Picnic In The Jungle
- Friendly Warning
- I Love Mary
- The Vultures Of Bombay
- The Spot
-
Smelly Tongues
- Talkin' In The Town
Remix 1987
- What Wilbur? (Alternative Version)
- The Vivian Girls (Alternative Version)
- Kill The Great Raven (Alternative Version)
- Interlude (Neon Lights)
- Here Comes The Bums (Alternative Version)
- Magic And Ecstasy (Alternative Version)
- Friendly Warning (Alternative Version)
- Talkin' In The Town (Alternative Version)
- Who Is The Culprit And Who Is The Victim? (Alternative Version)
- I love Mary (Alternative Version)
- The Vultures Of Bombay (Alternative Version)